'Love Action' is good, I think its my favourite of the Human League's early hits.

'Water On Glass' is good too.

Duran's 'Girls on Film' is a bit frivolous lyrically but the production is very good.

Si (Je Suis Une Rock Star) is very quirky I assume it is Jona Lewie - Kitchen At Parties influenced!

Girls on Film (with that naughty video) is decent. It went top 10 for me but I find myself less bothered about it these days 8/10. Love Action is fabulous, Human League were poised to take over "My fave current popstars" award as Abba quietly disbanded slowly, 10/10. Sampled by Utah Saints in later years. I dont recall Boys getting any airplay, Water On Glass was good though, but not as great as the previous singles 8/10.

Backfired was OK, borderline 7/10, and was one I got a free copy of - I'd gone to buy a pile of classic old singles that were being discounted by Revolver record shop in mansfield. We are talking mint copies of stuff like Marakesh Express from 1969 and more so I had a huge wadfull and the shop assistant sorting new singles arrivals accidentally stuffed Debs in with my bundle, which I didnt discover till I got home. I didnt want to get the assistant in trouble so I snook it back to her the next day when there was no-one around. Too honest me! 😄

Happy "not an American single" Birthday was a chart-topper for me, so joyous, and MLK was a legend. 9/10. Hold On Tight was another ELO gem for me, another chart topper and I bought both Stevie and this one new. 10/10, the french-language hook is just irresistible. Hooked On Classics really does work, it made labels aware of the built-in appeal of classical compilations to people that might not necessarily know names of composers and works (like me) but loved the melodies. What a great romp 8/10.

Bill's cockney-french quirky hit was nice to see after the flopping of his earlier attempts like Monkey Grip Glue in 74. Si Si 7/10. I Love You Yes I Love You was Eddy's best single since Do You Feel My Love 7/10. Dancin' The Night Away is more vague than Voggue at this distance but I think I liked it around about a 6/10. Green Door got on my nerves big-time, and is still not a fave I can happily not hear again, but it's a 4/10 I suppose.

Carl Carlton I dont recall being big on, but also didnt dislike, so say a 5/10. Not heard that Lobo track in 44 years, so it's hard to judge, but it's reggae so let's say 4/10. Tight Fit Mark 1 arrive with cheesy covers and havent heard this since 1981 either 3/10. Startrax left no impression on me at all and the songs were too recent to justify cheesy covers 2/10.

A fantastic top 9 here: I feel quite harsh on Gary really. And I’ve decided to give the very rare triple 9. Soft Cell is an obvious huge highlight but the Uktravox and Soft Cell tracks are real titans of the synth-pop age too.

9	Soft Cell	Tainted Love	484th #1: one of the all time great covers with a synth pop makeover and a crazed but commanding performance from Marc
9	Ultravox	The Thin Wall	A surprisingly low peak for their lead from a new album, but it's a superbly powerful and atmospheric track about nightmares
9	Genesis	Abacab	An epic synth track following the ABACAB structure: this feels like it goes on a journey and I love how the instrumentals develop
8	UB40	One In Ten	After a run of more and more moribund double As this is their best hit to date: social commentary captured in a hypnotic hook
8	U2	Fire	1st hit for the Irish band who won't have big success for a bit: doesn't feel like they've found their later style yet but it's great
8	Siouxsie And The Banshees	Arabian Nights	Their usual dark, stark and brooding sound with  intensifying, fearsome and biting vocals over a pulsating and menacing beat
7	Cliff Richard	Wired For Sound	The title track from his 24th studio album, this is very much top drawer Cliff and a lively track with some interesting rhythms
7	The Rolling Stones	Start Me Up	It's on the light hearted side but this is certainly one of their strongest later hits with a really infectious and joyous style to it
6	Gary Numan	She's Got Claws	A more jazzy sound than previous hits but the melody is quite like "Cars", and it's the usual jungle of synths and intense vocals
5	Aneka	Japanese Boy	485th #1: I actually quite enjoy the clumsy cultural references, but beyond the catchy tune there isn't that much replay value
4	Modern Romance	Everybody Salsa	1st hit for this UK band: this is quite a catchy piece of Latin style pop but it doesn't have a huge degree of musical substance
3	Tenpole Tudor	Wunderbar	Their 2nd and last Top 40 with a similar gung ho energy: it feels rather like a football chant and they mispronounce the title
3	Randy Crawford	Rainy Night In Georgia	A cover of a Brook Benton RnB song from a decade before: it's nicely sung but manages to be a rather boring overall package
2	The Nolans	Chemistry	Another attempt at sunshine pop from them but the chorus doesn't pop at all and ultimately it feels very pedestrian and flat
1	Enigma	I Love Music	Another all purpose medley of varying quality covers with no obvious unifying theme: we all love music but arguably this isn't it

1981 Group 15:

9	Soft Cell	Tainted Love	484th #1: one of the all time great covers with a synth pop makeover and a crazed but commanding performance from Marc
9	Ultravox	The Thin Wall	A surprisingly low peak for their lead from a new album, but it's a superbly powerful and atmospheric track about nightmares
9	Genesis	Abacab	An epic synth track following the ABACAB structure: this feels like it goes on a journey and I love how the instrumentals develop
8	UB40	One In Ten	After a run of more and more moribund double As this is their best hit to date: social commentary captured in a hypnotic hook
8	U2	Fire	1st hit for the Irish band who won't have big success for a bit: doesn't feel like they've found their later style yet but it's great
8	Siouxsie And The Banshees	Arabian Nights	Their usual dark, stark and brooding sound with  intensifying, fearsome and biting vocals over a pulsating and menacing beat
7	Cliff Richard	Wired For Sound	The title track from his 24th studio album, this is very much top drawer Cliff and a lively track with some interesting rhythms
7	The Rolling Stones	Start Me Up	It's on the light hearted side but this is certainly one of their strongest later hits with a really infectious and joyous style to it
6	Gary Numan	She's Got Claws	A more jazzy sound than previous hits but the melody is quite like "Cars", and it's the usual jungle of synths and intense vocals
5	Aneka	Japanese Boy	485th #1: I actually quite enjoy the clumsy cultural references, but beyond the catchy tune there isn't that much replay value
4	Modern Romance	Everybody Salsa	1st hit for this UK band: this is quite a catchy piece of Latin style pop but it doesn't have a huge degree of musical substance
3	Tenpole Tudor	Wunderbar	Their 2nd and last Top 40 with a similar gung ho energy: it feels rather like a football chant and they mispronounce the title
3	Randy Crawford	Rainy Night In Georgia	A cover of a Brook Benton RnB song from a decade before: it's nicely sung but manages to be a rather boring overall package
2	The Nolans	Chemistry	Another attempt at sunshine pop from them but the chorus doesn't pop at all and ultimately it feels very pedestrian and flat
1	Enigma	I Love Music	Another all purpose medley of varying quality covers with no obvious unifying theme: we all love music but arguably this isn't it

double-posted but worthy set of reviews! Tainted Love is a perfect record, Marc on manic bitterness best, 10/10. The Thin Wall was good, but not quite top rank Ultravox for me 8/10. Abacab is better than I gave it credit for at the time, but the lack of a proper chorus always bugged me but a driving radio favourite for many these days 7/10. One In Ten back on form UB40, and indeed I was one of the one in ten 8/10.

Fire was energetic and more punk than stadium rock, my first U2 purchase, 7/10. Arabian Nights is fab, Siouxsie's best record to date 9/10. Wired For Sound is one of Cliff's best records, top synth pop and sounding very much a part of the 1981 pop scene, quite an achievement for a 50's star 9/10. Start Me Up had been saved for 3 years or so, but it energised their career briefly back to rocking out old-skool-style 8/10.

She's Got Claws marked the point at which Gary and I parted company on his musical direction 6/10. Japanese Boy, loved the Eastern music swipes and sounds and driving beat, but cheese cannot be avoided here 8/10. Modern Romance were generally fairly mundane for a salsa beat, and tended to get on my nerves after a few plays, bar one. 5/10.

Vunderbar indeed, and very footie anthemic yes, but it was a bit of a laugh 6/10. Randy Crawford, classy but dull is a fair assessment, 6/10. Chemistry was OK pop I didnt mind it, though I havent heard it in decades so this is based on memory 6/10. Enigma had a follow-up? Dont recall that one at all and the cheesey cover version medleys had very much outstayed their welcome by this point so 1/10 on principle.

'Lay All Your Love On Me' is my favourite ABBA song but it had stiff competition from that Kraftwerk double A-side in its respective group for sure. I'm so glad that 'The Model' eventually got to be a chart-topper as it's my favourite #1 of the 1980s, even if it dates back to the '70s, making it feel even more futuristic. Hearing those synths for the first time was such a magical moment for me and helped to shape that large facet of my music taste. 'Computer Love' is special too, with a timeless riff and equally standout lyrics. The Computer World album is so strong in general.

Duran Duran are on a good run right now, so can't fault that top pick, although I think 'Love Action (I Believe In Love)' would just pip it for me - another group who are on top form and we haven't even got to their signature song yet *.*

I would be happy to never hear a medley again after the overload of them on SyncTube but do agree that 'Hooked On Classics' is a better example of them!

Back to snapping on that latest group as 'Tainted Love' is a synth classic - that's how you do a cover version! I was unaware of the lengthier 'Where Did Our Love Go?' mash-up version until yesterday's session, but happy to report that it worked well in that form too. Ultravox a mighty fine runner-up.

The two dance-focused synthpop singles on top of your rate, would be the same for me.

'The Thin Wall' has a very interesting beat to it. Maybe the chorus especially is a bit darker than the other early Ultravox songs, a bit more towards the direction Depeche Mode would eventually head.

'Tainted Love' is an anthem of course and the video is good had forgotten about it, a bit like a Levi's advert when he puts on the jeans!

'One in Ten' is very good and better than the later covers from UB40.

'Abacab' is good too from Genesis but 'Turn It On' is better known today probably.

'She's Got Claws' isn't one of Gary Numan's better songs but it does introduce the bass guitar and synth combo he would do better songs with in 1982.

'Wunderbar' is like a Bundesliga football match mixed with Oktoberfest lol.

Yeah definitely the 90s Enigma were way better than the 80s one!

Edited November 11, 2025Nov 11 by TheSnake

Adam And The Ants just missing out on the top spot again. OMD are on fire now - “Souvenir” really is a work of art.

9	Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark	Souvenir	A timeless track from them: the ethereal riff is front and centre and has an ethereal quality, and is embellished by wistful lyrics
8	Adam And The Ants	Prince Charming	486th #1: this is quite different in feel from their Burundi Beat hits but its strength also lies in the relentless, captivating rhythm
8	John Foxx	Europe (After The Rain)	None of his hits have scaled the top 30: unlike his others this is more piano than synth led but a gorgeous final appearance
7	Dollar	Hand Held In Black And White	A Trevor Horn produced hit for the duo: the piano really sparkles on this and it's a warm and uplifting track with lovely lyrics
7	Bucks Fizz	One Of Those Nights	I seem to prefer their smaller hits: there's a powerful feeling of longing delivered in this and the rich production is ABBA worthy
7	The Pointer Sisters	Slow Hand	Their 1st smash hit and a US #2 behind "Endless Love": this is a very strong and sultry soul track that glides along effortlessly
6	The Teardrop Explodes	Passionate Friend	This is their last Top 40 although they'll have several more lesser hits: it's a good song but it doesn't hold a candle to "Reward"
6	Linx	So This Is Romance	Last of their quick flurry of Top 40s that have all been pretty enjoyable; this has interesting lyrics and instrumental touches
5	Ottawan	Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)	Another ultra catchy and somewhat cheesy hit from them, but I can't fault the unapologetic all out delivery and it's a fun listen
5	Imagination	In And Out Of Love	This is similar to "Body Talk" with its slow and sensual chorus: the style does work well but the track doesn't bring anything new
4	Diana Ross And Lionel Richie	Endless Love	I have to give this some credit for being a classic of its genre but it's so saccharine and pretictable that I can only enjoy it a little
4	Hi Gloss	You'll Never Know	Only hit for this project created by US based Giuliano Salerni using session musicians: the track is fine but slightly lacklustre
3	The Hollies	Holliedaze (Medley)	Less tacky than some of the other medleys around and it's quite a nice tribute to a great '60s band, but has limited replay value
2	Rex Smith/Rachel Sweet	Everlasting Love	A cover of the 1960s song which Love Affair took to #1: this is a very naff duet with revised lyrics and the only hit for this pair
1	Alvin Stardust	Pretend	His biggest hit with the song made popular by Nat King Cole: I don't enjoy this version which I find cheapens the lyrics greatly

1981 Group 16:

	12/09/1981	The Tweets	The Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)	2	44-25-8-7-{2}-2-3-5-9-16-22-22-31-29-28-22-22-17-21-29-35-46-62-68R(44)-55-55-46-49->28
#551	12/09/1981	Godley And Creme	Under Your Thumb	3	64-30-11-6-4-{3}-8-15-24-40-71->11
#552	19/09/1981	Starsound	Stars On 45 (Volume 3)	17	33-{17}-18-26-32-43->6
#553	12/09/1981	Gidea Park	Seasons Of Gold	28	51-35-30-{28}-32-43->6
#554	12/09/1981	Portsmouth Sinfonia	Classical Muddly	38	68-{38}-42-60->4
#555	26/09/1981	The Police	Invisible Sun	2	9-{2}-3-9-23-26-54-73->8
#556	26/09/1981	Madness	Shut Up	7	22-10-{7}-12-15-19-27-48-72->9
#557	19/09/1981	Depeche Mode	Just Can't Get Enough	8	44-24-12-11-{8}-12-17-22-33-46->10
#558	19/09/1981	Electronicas	The Original Bird Dance	22	59-29-{22}-22-24-38-41-70->8
#559	19/09/1981	Dave Stewart And Barbara Gaskin	It's My Party	1	67-36-17-8-{1}-1-1-1-6-15-29-41-57->13
#560	12/09/1981	Beggar And Co	Mule (Chant No 2)	37	60-41-{37}-44-55->5
#561	19/09/1981	Japan	Quiet Life	19	61-39-26-{19}-19-21-24-29-60->9
#562	12/09/1981	Sheena Easton	Just Another Broken Heart	33	50-42-40-37-36-{33}-41-66->8
#563	26/09/1981	Bad Manners	Walking In The Sunshine	10	66-30-16-{10}-11-16-20-34-56->9

OMD really coming into classic phase here, Souvenir topped my charts, love it 10/10. What a melody and a very different mood with Paul on lead vocal. Prince Charming and the iconic Diana Dors video, what's not to love, Adam was king of the pop charts by this time 9/10. Europe After The Rain, not heard that since 1981, so only vague memories of it being OK 6/10. Dollar, I'd loved phase 1 singles, so the rebirth was very welcome with Trevor Horn polishing up the records and class, Hand Held In Black & White is fab 9/10.

One Of Those Nights was the track that converted me to Bucks Fizz, there was more going on here than just another Eurovision pop act, the songs and production were getting varied and classy, an obscure gem 9/10. Slow Hand, nice to see The Pointer Sisters finally getting chart success a decade late in the UK 8/10. Passionate Friend very much single 3 of 3, not quite up to the previous, 7/10.

So This Is Romance is another great story song, sweetly sad, and Linx ending on a high 9/10. I wish they'd not split, David's solo stuff was never quite as good as the Linx era. Hands Up, another Euro-holiday hit, and it's cheesy fun, I think its better than DISCO 8/10. In & Out Of Love keeps Imagination ticking over for now, as Leee gets another showcase on TOTP, 7/10.

Endless Love I have disliked for 44 years. Dreary and ponderous and overblown. 4/10. You'll Never Know not heard it in yonks, but I liked it 7/10. Holliedaze was worth it just for Graham Nash turning up on TOTP with the gang, and at least they were originals not tacky cheap covers, so that's an 8/10 from me for nostalgia-sake. Everlasting Love is a song that never fails, I quite liked this version 6/10. Pretend, never knew the Nat version at the time, but this was a great rockabilly rebirth for Alvin, and I love the song in either version 9/10.

'Souvenir' is a great top pick. Like 'Enola Gay', this song indeed has a standout riff as well, albeit different in mood - ethereal is the perfect descriptor. The slowed down choral loops add an extra atmospheric touch too.

'Prince Charming' gets a big thumbs up from me as well! "Ridicule is nothing to be scared of" is a great message. This era continues to grab attention in a more theatrical way both musically and visually, with quite a feast of a music video, featuring Diana Dors along for the ride as aforementioned - why not! The Prince Charming Revue tour is well worth a watch, I remember finding a YouTube video of the full show during lockdown and he was on top form as a front man.

p.s. love that "dandy" continues to be such a buzzword in the world of antmusic following its use in 'Kings of the Wild Frontier', 'Stand and Deliver' and now 'Prince Charming'.

Elsewhere - that Ottawan song is an earworm, reading that song title alone is going to get it stuck in my head, I just know it. 😅

Yeah I would agree with that top 2 'Souvenir' is a nice synthpop ballad and 'Prince Charming' is quirky and fun.

Another influx of medley stinkers at one end but an absolute beauty of a Top 5 here. “Invisible Man” doesn’t whack you in the face like some of their best known hits but it’s just stealthily brilliant. And I was introduced to Godley And Creme by the experimental “I Pity Inanimate Objects” from 1979 which @King Rollo entered into a song contest, but everything I’ve heard from them has been great.

9	The Police	Invisible Sun	Missed the top spot unlike its follow up but one of their very finest songs: dark and brooding and you can feel the sun glistening
9	Godley And Creme	Under Your Thumb	1st and biggest hit for this duo of 10cc members: an enchanting, haunting single with exceptional storytelling and production
8	Dave Stewart And Barbara Gaskin	It's My Party	487th #1: their only Top 40 as a duo and a wonderful synth pop cover of Lesley Gore's 1963 song, with bucketfuls of character
8	Depeche Mode	Just Can't Get Enough	The only Top 3 hit they'll ever have: I'm not sure the  bouncy style suits them but it's a brilliant riff and wonderful vibrant track
7	Japan	Quiet Life	1st hit for this UK new wave band who had been going a while: a very fine moody synth track that builds and simmers effecitively
6	Madness	Shut Up	Their 8th Top 10 hit in less than 2 years: I like the fairground  style piano intro and thereafter it's their usual enjoyable cheeky style
6	Sheena Easton	Just Another Broken Heart	A minor hit but I think it's one of her better songs: a nice track that isn't cheesy and doesn't feel like it ought to be a show tune
5	The Tweets	The Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)	Originally The Chicken Dance composed by a Swiss accordion player in the '50s, this is an enjoyable novelty track for a party
4	Beggar And Co	Mule (Chant No 2)	Their 2nd and last Top 40: it's quite an interesting and unusual track but the vocals are a little off putting and amateur sounding
3	Electronicas	The Original Bird Dance	Not sure which of this and The The Tweets versions came first, but I prefer The Tweets' richer production and we didn't need this
3	Bad Manners	Walking In The Sunshine	A 7th hit for them in 18 months: this has the makings of a decent reggae track but the song doesn't go far and feels lacklustre
2	Portsmouth Sinfonia	Classical Muddly	A spoof response to "Hooked On Classics" by this orchestra with bad playing: it's hard on the ears but at least mildly amusing
1	Starsound	Stars On 45 (Volume 3)	Bizarrely this one is a medley of clips of backing tracks without any vocals: hard to see the purpose other than a home disco
1	Gidea Park	Seasons Of Gold	2nd and last hit for this project, branching out from Beach Boys to Four Seasons and other '60s acts with scratchy session vocals

1980 Group 17:

#564	19/09/1981	Slade	Lock Up Your Daughters	29	70-45-31-{29}-29-31-35-73->8
#565	03/10/1981	Toyah	Thunder In The Mountains	4	32-13-5-{4}-7-16-21-39-51->9
#566	03/10/1981	The Creatures	Mad Eyed Screamer	24	34-25-25-{24}-27-35-44->7
#567	26/09/1981	Barry Manilow	Let's Hang On	12	46-35-30-21-16-{12}-12-17-24-38-58->11
#568	26/09/1981	Tight Fit	Back To The 60s - Part 2	33	71-38-{33}-35-51->5
#569	10/10/1981	The Human League	Open Your Heart	6	21-{6}-6-11-10-15-21-40-60->9
#570	03/10/1981	Elvis Costello	A Good Year For The Roses	6	47-23-14-9-8-{6}-12-16-34-46-74->11
#571	26/09/1981	Altered Images	Happy Birthday	2	63-48-28-16-5-{2}-2-2-11-16-40-55-72-75-75-58-68->17
#572	03/10/1981	New Order	Procession/Everything's Gone Green	38	64-39-{38}-63-70->5
#573	10/10/1981	Shakin' Stevens	It's Raining	10	40-11-{10}-10-14-18-28-46-68->9
#574	17/10/1981	Laurie Anderson	O Superman	2	18-{2}-3-15-24-54->6
#575	10/10/1981	Squeeze	Labelled With Love	4	72-31-19-9-{4}-4-10-17-44-64->10
#576	10/10/1981	The Fureys With Davey Arthur	When You Were Sweet Sixteen	14	47-34-26-22-17-{14}-14-20-32-47-70->11
#577	17/10/1981	BA Robertson And Maggie Bell	Hold Me	11	36-18-13-{11}-13-20-35-59->8

Invisible Sun got slagged off at the time a bit, unfairly, cos it's Sting at his moody, serious best and an under-appreciated classic 10/10 and The Police's 5th chart-topper for me. Godley & Creme were the more xperimental half of my beloved 10CC classic line-up, and that continued in the 80's, Under Your Thumb is spooky and dark and brilliant 10/10 and re-ignited my 10CC-members love as the other half ran out of steam a bit in terms of hit singles. It's My Party was a party classic from Lesley Gore, and this version re-vamped it entirely for a new more cynical generation that was into synths and new sounds, great record 9/10.

Just Cant Get Enough popularity has always bemused me a bit, as to me its just a fun follow up to New Life and not in the same league as Leave In Silence, never mind absolute later classics Personal Jesus and Enjoy The Silence. 7/10. Japan a band I never really got the cool appeal of, bar a couple of tracks, but Quiet Life is fine 7/10. Shut Up not a Madness classic but it's jolly fun enough 8/10.

Sheena's minor hit wasn't too bad, though this is based on not hearing it since the 80's I think, 7/10, The Birdie Song takes me back to the Mansfield Youth Club Juniors Club I volunteered in for job experience (in case I went into teaching in desperation for work) while on the dole, and I did everything I could to avoid getting dragged onto the dance floor to this inevitable weekly Birdie trauma. 5/10. Mule I only have vague memories of, but I generally liked Beggar & Co 6/10.

Electronicas version of Birdies never got called up at the time - it was most likely people asking for the record and not knowing who the act was, so shop assistants bunging them a copy as they ran out of copies of The Tweets... 3/10. Walking In The Sunshine was melodic ska as per usual, but maybe not as frantic as usual Bad Manners hits 7/10. Classical Muddley I have genuinely forgotten entirely, oops. 3/10 prob. My memory of Stars On 45 Vol 3 doesn't fit with the description so I rushed to Youtube, and the memories came flooding back, Ah, yes, I actually liked this one without any cheesy vocals on it, especially the intro. I can only apologise but one really can't fault the choice of classic riffs thown into the pot, except maybe the MASH sore thumb moment and the later alpine horn section! 6/10. Seasons Of Gold, anything that pushed Four Seasons back catalogue is OK by me, Adrian Baker was about 25 years ahead of Beggin' and Jersey Boys, and it fits in with his Sherry cover hit from '75 5/10. Obv the originals are way better though, as with all medleys!

'The Quiet Life' is great, easily Japan's best song imo, so cool sounding and good for the dancefloor, and it was made in 1979. It influenced other tracks like Planet Earth by Duran Duran and Classix Nouveaux - Is It A Dream with its mix of synths and bass guitar. Bass guitar and synths was a common combo in the early 80s and Gary Numan would start using that combination too!

'Under My Thumb' is fantastic too love it, and it also uses quite similar fast synth effects to 'The Quiet Life' by Japan.

Edited November 16, 2025Nov 16 by TheSnake

Under Your Thumb is certainly worth a 9, a big hit for them after the wonderful 5 O'Clock In The Morning and An Englishman In New York had failed to reach the top 75 in the 1970s. It's My Party, Invisible Sun, Just Can't Get Enough and Quiet Life are all great songs so my top 5 would be the same.

16 hours ago, King Rollo said:

Under Your Thumb is certainly worth a 9, a big hit for them after the wonderful 5 O'Clock In The Morning and An Englishman In New York had failed to reach the top 75 in the 1970s. It's My Party, Invisible Sun, Just Can't Get Enough and Quiet Life are all great songs so my top 5 would be the same.

The 2 Godley & Creme tracks both made my charts of the time, taking me back to my original reasoning as a 10-year old for doing my own charts (the UK charts songs are in the wrong order according to what I like!), so hooray for me sticking with that belief 57 years and counting 😄

Love that version of 'It's My Party'! The lyrics have always been pretty sad, with the theme of teenage heartbreak present, but the Quincy Jones instrumental on the Lesley Gore original is quite upbeat. However, I like that the production of this version is moody synth heavy and drama-filled instead (that intro immediately blows the doors down!!) to match the sentiment. Did not know that Thomas Dolby was in the video so that was a fun fact learned at the SyncTube session. I was delighted this version finally turned up on streaming platforms a couple of years ago 🤩

I agree that Depeche Mode would go on to better things but I'm still enjoying their more plinky-plonky phase too, the 'Just Can't Get Enough' riff is charming.

'Invisible Sun' might just be the best Police song and 'Under The Thumb' is a gem as well, commanding and haunting stuff, brilliant that it charted so high.

Rachel Sweet and Rex Smith - Everlasting Love spent 3 weeks at # 1 in my chart.

I’ve been sticking to the arbitrary rule of only 3 10s per year, which is tricky this year when I blew 2 of them in the first batch! There is another very strong candidate for a 10 to come before the year end, but I have to give it instead to one of the most mesmerising and artistic hits ever.

“Mad Eyed Screamer” is a brilliant discovery that takes the runner up spot, and as usual there’s plenty to enjoy behind.

10	Laurie Anderson	O Superman	Only hit for this US artist: an astonishing, starkly produced, epic, avant garde, prophetic and heartbreaking eight minute track
9	The Creatures	Mad Eyed Screamer	1st hit for the duo of Siouxsie and the drummer of the Banshees: a fabulous short and minimalist track with vocals and drums
8	The Human League	Open Your Heart	I love the whistle sound on this and it's a lovely heartwarming 3rd hit from the "Dare" album before everything changes for them
8	New Order	Procession/Everything's Gone Green	This double A takes a few listens to fully appreciate but it is excellent: "Everything's Gone Green" is like a raw "Blue Monday"
8	Altered Images	Happy Birthday	1st and biggest Top 40 for this Scottish new wave band, coincidentally matching Stevie's "Happy Birthday" #2: a gorgeous song
7	Toyah	Thunder In The Mountains	Their 3rd and last Top 10 with another strong, spirited and exciting track with production like scurrying bees and hopeful lyrics
7	Squeeze	Labelled With Love	Their last really big hit with a lilting country flavour where the lyrical story is front and centre, and it's beautifully delivered
6	Elvis Costello	A Good Year For The Roses	His last big hit and most subsequent releases will miss the Top 40: very nice storytelling on this cover of a 1970 country ballad
5	Slade	Lock Up Your Daughters	A more heavy rock sound following their Reading festival appearance: good for getting a crowd going but slightly lost as a single
4	BA Robertson And Maggie Bell	Hold Me	Originally a '30s song and a 1964 hit for PJ Proby, this is the last appearance for both artists and a spirited but slightly naff duet
3	Shakin' Stevens	It's Raining	A #10 peak for him seems modest after 3 straight Top 2s: an original song here I believe but quite a pedestrian and sluggish one
2	Barry Manilow	Let's Hang On	A Four Seasons cover with his usual slightly nasal vocals: unsurprisingly this sounds old for its time and utterly uninspiring
1	Tight Fit	Back To The 60s - Part 2	A second dreadful 15 minute '60s medley with ropey session vocals from this project, and a much smaller hit than the first
1	The Fureys With Davey Arthur	When You Were Sweet Sixteen	Originally an 1898 folk song becoming the only Top 40 for these Irish folk musicians in collaboration, I find it a terrible dirge

1981 Group 18:

#578	10/10/1981	Gillan	Nightmare	36	49-39-37-{36}-39-61->6
#579	24/10/1981	The Jam	Absolute Beginners	4	7-{4}-8-19-27-61->6
#580	24/10/1981	The Police	Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic	1	27-6-3-{1}-2-9-17-38-54-71-71-56-60->13
#581	17/10/1981	Rod Stewart	Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)	8	47-28-18-13-10-{8}-11-15-37-51-66-66-73->13
#582	17/10/1981	The Four Tops	When She Was My Girl	3	42-29-14-5-{3}-6-13-22-45-71->10
#583	17/10/1981	Exploited	Dead Cities	31	41-32-{31}-34-64->5
#584	24/10/1981	Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark	Joan Of Arc	5	36-21-7-{5}-5-6-13-32-41-56-56-47-62-68->14
#585	10/10/1981	Gary Glitter	And Then She Kissed Me	39	53-44-{39}-39-41->5
#586	10/10/1981	Olivia Newton-John	Physical	7	57-45-40-29-18-11-{7}-8-11-19-35-36-36-33-58-62->16
#587	24/10/1981	Julio Iglesias	Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar)	1	69-33-21-7-3-2-{1}-3-6-14-14-34-35-58->14
#588	31/10/1981	Rush	Tom Sawyer	25	34-26-26-{25}-33-51->6
#589	24/10/1981	Electric Light Orchestra	Twilight	30	50-37-{30}-30-34-43-54->7
#590	24/10/1981	Trevor Walters	Love Me Tonight	27	52-38-31-31-29-{27}-30-60->8
#591	24/10/1981	Haircut One Hundred	Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)	4	66-40-19-9-{4}-4-8-21-39-48-48-41-53-54->14

0/10 for O Superman, possibly the worst song from 1981 year.

O Superman was instantly "what eh wow!" and I did buy it, but for me the replay value on such a long creation wore off with radio play. It's def Art, but I need to be in the right mood and winding down. Great for clearing a dancefloor at closing time though 8/10. Mad Eyed Screamer is fab, a sort of drum-driven Banshees banger 9/10. Open Your Heart, one they dropped from live shows for ages, but their first chart-topper of many for me - love it 10/10. I've seen them live many times and in recent years they are back on board with it, being as Dare is an all-time classic album.

The New Order double A didnt get a lot of daytime Radio 1 play, so I dont know them that well, certainly not heard them in decades, but they were getting 6's and 7's from me around this time. You wait 80 years for a new Happy Birthday song and 2 come along - Stevie's is the better, though Altered Images is fun 80. Saw Clare do it on an 80's tour in the 2000's and she was full of bouncing energy. 8/10. Thunder In The Mountains, Toyah at her most New Romantic operatic and great fun 9/10. See Clare comment for bouncing energy in concert, and she's in her 60's now.

Squeeze go Country and get away with it, cos lyrics are central to Country and central to Squeeze. Always classy 7/10. I didnt know the original George Jones Country song but it's even better than Elvis' good cover 8/10. Lock Up Your daughters was Slade's gift from Reading fans, but it wasn't really a massive radio hit and hasn't been played since, pretty much. They will be back with better though. 7/10. Hold Me was a great pub-rock-ish shambolic romp, Maggie Bell long-overlooked in the charts, and it got PJ Proby a last gasp of a mention in pop culture 8/10.

It's Raining was wet and limp, 5/10. Let's hang On wasnt even as good as Darts' hit cover, it was tacky MOR as Manilow got big in the UK for some reason I could never fathom as his star was ebbing in the US. 4/10. I'm sure the single version of back to the 60's wasn't 15 mins long, no way that would have got played on Radio 1, not even in the chart show! Still rubbish either though 3/10. The Fureys' ancient cover was quite interesting, not my cup of tea, but I find old songs of interest and this was quite a nice folky version 6/10. It annoyed me at the time a bit, though. Terry Wogan was a fan. I think.